Touching Bases The Official Newsletter for Arizona ASA Umpires

Volume I - Issue 2 March 2014

Arizona Amateur Softball Association Umpires - 29834 N. Cave Creek Rd., Suite 118-294 Cave Creek, AZ 85331 602.999.9392

Webmaster Geri Magwire says: 2014 Umpire Exam Now On-Line!

VisitourWebSitewww.azasa.orgAndclickonUmpiresInfoandtakethe2014UmpireExam.InstantresultswillbeprovidedalongwithinstructionsastothesubmissionofthecorrectanswersandrulereferencebacktoyourDistrictUICforthosequestionsmissed.TheExamisopenbookandconsistsof50or58Questions.IfyouworkFPonly,answerquestions150.IfyouworkSPonly,answerquestions142andquestions5158.IfyouworkbothFP&SPanswerall58questions.

YOU MAKE THE CALL!

SP&FP:Withrunnerson1Band2B,therunneron1Bleavesthebasetoosoon,butthebatterhitsatripleandbothrunsscore.Duetothecrowdnoiseandtheintensityoftheplayersnooneheardtheumpireorsawtheumpiredeclareadeadball.Now,youmakethecall!AnsweronPage5(Dontpeek).

Sharewhatsnew,seephotosandupdates.FollowArizonaASAUmpiresonFacebookat:http://www.facebook.com/AzASAUmpires

A Record Breaking 107 Students at 2014 National Umpire School Peoria, AZ TheASA/USASoftballNationalUmpireSchool(NUS)heldattheRioVistaRecreationCenterandSoftballComplex2123FebruarywasatremendoussuccessandmadehistoryintheRockyMountainRegion13.Therewereover130participantsinvolvedwiththeschool;107beingstudents.Thenumberof107studentssetarecordforallNationalUmpireSchoolspreviouslyheldinRegion13.ASAPresidentPhilGutierrezservedastheGuestofHonorandinaresponsetoathankyousenttoPresidentGutierrezfromtheAZASAStateUICPresidentGutierrezrespondedandisquotedfromhisemailsayingThanksomuchforyourverykindwords,yourhospitalityandforthegreatmementogifts.Firstclass!ThereislittleIcanaddtowhatIalreadyexpressedinpersontoyou,yourCommissioner,yourdeputyStateUICandtosomeofyourstaff.Yourevent,NUS,waswellplanned,extremelywellattendedandalmostflawlesslyexecuted.Thestudentswereenthusiasticandenergeticallyparticipatedineverythingtheywereaskedtodo.YourstaffwasJohnnyonthespotwithanyquestionorsituationthatarose,takingcareofallneedsandrequestswithouthesitation.Youandyourstaffdeservealltheaccoladesyouvereceivedandprobablymore.TheArizonaASAUmpireProgramisnverygoodshapeforthefuturewithalltheyoungvolunteersyouhaveonstafforiotherwiseassistingwiththeprogram,thatsagreatcredittoyouastheStateUIC.ThepurposeoftheASANationalUmpireSchool(NUS)wastodevelopeachstudent'sindividualtalentsandskillsasanumpire.Becauseofumpiresinterest,itisrealizedthatumpireshavetheprideandattitudeittakestobecomeoneofthebestsoftballumpiresinthenation.ThegoaloftheNUSwastobringoutthebestinindividualumpiretalentandability.Toachievethatthestudentsweregroupedbyexperienceevelsandallslowpitchonlyumpireswereintheirowngroup.Byallindicationsoflthestudentschoolevaluations,allgoalswereachieved.TheNationalUmpireSchoolinPeoria,Arizonaconsistedofastaffoffour(4)InstructorsfromtheASA/USASoftballNationalUmpireStaff.Theinstructorswere:MalcolmBoyles,DeputyDirectorofUmpires,WesternTerritory,GeneHarrison,SouthwesternRegion6UIC,RichardCrocker,TexasRegion7UICandJoeRobinson,RockyMountainRegion13UIC.TheNationalStaffInstructorswereassistedbyNUSStaffAssistantsfromtheArizonaASAUmpireStaffAaronBurns,KaseyBurns,RichEddings,WayneFulton,TimJackson,JustinLauby,LesterMast,DonMcCombs,Geriagwire,DeWayneNelsen,DonnaShurtz,JohnVecs,AndyWilliamsandtheUtahtateUIC,RalphAndersen.WallyLatall,AZASAStateUICwastheNUSCoordinator.MSNUSStorycontinuedonPage5andphotosonPages6and7

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Six(6)ArizonaASAUmpiresSelectedforMajorAssignments

KevinRyan,ASADirectorofUmpiresrecentlyannouncedthatsix(6)ArizonaUmpireshavebeenselectedforassignmenttoMajorNationalChampionshipTournaments.Fastpitchselectionsare:AaronBurns,CentralDistrict,MensMajorFastPitch,KaseyBurns,CentralDistrictGirlsFP18UGoldandMikeSabo,NorthDistrict,GirlsFP16UGold.SlowPitchSelectionsare:JustinLauby,CentralDistrict,WorthChampionshipSeries,RichEddings,CentralDistrict,MensClassASPandRobDunn,NorthDistrict,MensSeniorSPCanadianhampionships(Canada/USAxchangeProgram)

CE

.

FeatureArticleinthenexteditionofTouching BasesmeetDonnaShurtz,AZASADeputyUmpireinChiefforAdministration,thenewestadditiontotheAZASAUmpireStaff.

From the Plate of the State UIC, Wally Latall Mechanics Tips and Empasizing Rules MECHANICS TIPS ARE:

DidyouknowthatthePlateUmpirenowcallstimeinthetwoandthreeumpiresystemsafterabaseumpirechasesaflyballtotheoutfieldandallplayhasceased?Theintentofthismechanicistoallowthebaseumpire(s)toreturnbacktotheircorrectstartingposition(s)aswellastheplateumpiretoreturntotheirs.

Onaforceplayat1Biftheballiscomingfromthe2Bareayoushouldbeabout3offthefoulline;iftheballiscomingfromtheSSareayoushouldbeabout9feetoffthefoullineandiftheballiscomingformthe3Bareayoushouldbe16offthefoulline.Yourcallingdepthontheforceat1Bcanvarybasedonyourheightastheumpire,butisnormally18.Thiskeepsthefourelementsinfrontofyou;thebase,theball,theoffenseandthedefenseastheplaydevelops.

ContinuedonPage5

Have ASA/USA Softball Information at your Fingertips! Not Just the Mobile App., but The 2014 Umpire eRulebook Too!

OKLAHOMA CITY The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States

recently released its 2014 version of the Official Rules of Softball in an online mobile platform. Available for

purchase for $4.95 for an annual subscription, the searchable application is available for all iPhone, iPad,

Blackberry, Androids, Windows phones, and tablet users. This app does not replace the ASA Rulebook.

From any of the mobile devices listed above, visit M.ASAsoftball.com and you will be directed to ASAs mobile site

where the first table item listed is the OFFICIAL RULES APPLICATION link. Click there to begin the process to

purchase.

Just released, an Android Umpire eRulebook and Participant eRulebook that contain

the ASA's Official Playing Rules.

Coming soon on App Store for iPhones and iPads!

Designed using feedback from the ASA community and ASA Umpires, the new mobile rules app provides a searchable

engine of the 2013 version of the Official Rules of Softball. Also listed are common key words found in the rulebook

to serve as a guide to the user to search the necessary rule or rule reference.

On behalf of the ASA, we are thrilled to be launching this new product to all ASA participants and umpires, said

ASA Supervisor of Umpires Kevin Ryan. While this does not replace the printed version of the rulebook, it serves as

another way to communicate our rules and message to the always evolving mobile user participant of our game. Our

designated task force who has been evaluating the service for months feels this will help educate all levels of play

and continue to teach all ages the rules of softball.

In addition the rules app, the m.asasoftball.com site provides users with easy to access ASA tournament listings, ASA

Certified Equipment, top headlines, local association contacts, and an event listing for the ASA Hall of Fame

Complex. In addition, the new technology provides a list of ASA preferred business partners and links to

SoftballOutlet.com and OfficialGear.com. Visit M.ASAsoftball.com from any web-enabled phone to access the site.

The mobile website is intended to keep up with the increase in mobile surfing and meet the publics growing

preference for receiving information. The content is targeted to users who are at the softball field and will target

relevant material that users may need. M.ASAsoftball.com provides capabilities for users to:

Search ASA Tournaments: Users can search for and locate current, future, and past ASA National Championships

and Qualifiers

View ASA Certified Equipment: This quick-use option allows users to view and search for ASA approved and non-

approved bats and balls

Shop: Users can have quick access to specific items they wish to purchase, ranging from hats to ASA Hall of Fame

Complex event tickets

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How Well Do You Know

Andy Williams - ARIZONA ASA DEPUTY UMPIRE-IN-CHIEF

ouching BasesT didatelephoneinterviewwithAndytogettoknowhimbetter. Q.Howdidyougetstartedasasoftballumpire?

A.IgrewupinPrescott,AZwatchingMensfastpitcheverysummer.ItookajobasaslowpitchumpirefortheCityofPrescottonesummerduringcollege.Ijustlookedatitasaparttimejobtoearnafewextrabucks.Marriage,Job,FamilytookoverandIjustdroppedthatparttimejob.Ibecameabasketballofficialanddidthatforanumberofyears.Ihadaninjuryinthelate90sthatrequiredmetogiveupbasketball.Irememberedhowmuchfunitwastowatchthosefastpitchgamesandecidedtotrymyhandasafastpitchsoftballd

umpire.Therestishistory,astheysay.Q.Whathasbeenyourbestexperienceasanumpire?

A.Icanthinkofthreethingsthatareatthetopofthelist.BeingselectedasanumpirefortheASA18GoldChampionshipin2011UmpiringtheAIASStateChampionshipgamein2010BeingH

selectedasanASAELITEUmpirein2012Q.Whatadvicewouldyougivetoanewumpire? A.Studytherulesandmechanicsandlearnhowtoapplythemonthefield.Neverstoplearningandeverthinkyouhavearrivedasanumpire.Keepn

workingtobetheverybestumpireyoucanbe.Q.Whatareyourfuturegoalsand/oraspirations?

A.Onthefield,IhavetwomorethingsIwouldliketodo.UmpireagameattheASAHallofFameStadiuminOklahomaCity,OKandumpireinaSlowPitchNationalTournament.Offthefield,IwanttoserveasUICofaNationalTournament.Ilsowanttotrainanddevelopotherumpiresand

ls.ahelpthemattaintheirgoaQ.Anyothercomments? A.OneofthegreatestthingsaboutthisjourneyhasbeenthefriendsIhavemadealongtheway.Ihavemetpeoplefromalloverthecountrythatsharethispassionforthegameofsoftball.Ialsowanttothankallofthosethathavegonebeforemeandhavetaughtandhelpedmetobettermyselfasapersonandanumpire.Icouldntasktobessociatedwithabettergroupofpeople,theAZSAandallofASAacrossthecountry.

aAL

earnmoreaboutAndyWilliamsonPage5

Have you registered for the 2014 Season? Umpire Registration NOW Features On-Line Payment!

StateUICWallyLatallandUmpireWebMasterGeriMagwiresaythatthelongawaitedPayPalandCreditCardPaymentmethodsforUmpireRegistrationsisverypopularandthatabouthalfourumpiresarechoosingtopayonline.Thisisanocostfeaturetoourumpiresandthe2014UmpireRegistrationFeeshaveremainedthesame;$55.00forCertified,$45.00forRegisteredand$30.00forYouth.AsareminderASAisusinganewCompanyfortheBackgroundCheckssowhenregisteringitisveryimportanttothecompletetheFormaccuratelyandcompletelyandPRINTINGlegibly.Also,IfyouareanewUmpire,anUmpirewhoDIDNOTregisterlastyear,ORifyouhavehadachangeinyourDriversLicenseInformation,suchasachangeofaddressoranewexpirationdate,youmustsubmitaphotocopyofyourdriverslicensewiththeForm.UmpiresandParksandRecreationDepartmentswhopayfortheirumpireregistrationfeesareencouragedtoregisterearly.TheonlymethodofRegistrationthisyearisonline.HandwrittenRegistrationFormswillnotbeaccepted.TheonlineprocessisvitaltocaptureinformationrequiredtosubmittotheNationalOfficeaswellastomaintaininformationintheAZASAUmpiresDataBasethatassistsAZASAtomanageandadministertheUmpirePrograminanefficientandeffectivemanner.IfanUmpire,aParksandRecreationDepartmentoraLocalAssociationUmpireGroupneedsassistancewiththeOnLineUmpireRegistrationProcess,pleasecontactAndyWilliams,viaawilliams@azasaumps.orgorbyphoneat(602)2920176.

WE WANT AND NEED YOU TO UMPIRE ASA! SeveralASAJOTournamentsotherthanChampionshipPlayareplannedfor2014andprovidedanexcellentopportunitytoUMPIREASA.SavethesedatesandUMPIREASA:April56(Phoenix),May1718(Florence),May31June1(Pinetop),June1314(ShowLow),June2122(Prescott),July46(Pinetop),July1920(Prescott),August2324(Prescott),September1314(Payson)andOctober2526(Cottonwood).Inadditiontothesedates,theAZUmpiresareplanningtwocharityeventsbenefittingCancerAwarenessandTheWoundedWarriorProjectandotherTournamentsaswell.ForacompleteTournamentlistingforAZASAHostedTournamentsvisitboth the azasa.org and Tournament ASA Web Sites.

Annual Prescott (North District) Umpire Clinic Slated for April 12 at Grace Sparkes Activity Center

824 E. Gurley Street, Prescott, AZ 86301

ThisClinicisNoChargetoCityofPrescottEmployeeUmpiresandOnly$10.00(atthedoor)forallotherumpires.TherewillbeClassroomandOnField(Gym)Instructionby:WallyLatall,ASAStateUIC,KenStoll,AZASANorthDistrictUICandRobDunn,NorthDistrictDeputyUIC.TheClinicwillfeature2014RuleChanges,Classroompresentationsonmechanics,practicalapplicationsofmechanics,lunch,StumptheUmp,anduniformandequipmentraffledrawingsforpurchaseofitemsfromNELCOEnterprises.TheClinicwillbeginat9AMandisanticipatedtoendnolaterthan3:30PM.ThisClinicWILLserveasQualifyingClinicforthoseUmpireswhodidnotattendtheNationalUmpireSchool.

Page 3

PicturedaboveLR:CommissionerFishel,RobDunn

UmpireoftheYearandPresidentGutierrez

PicturedaboveLR:CommissionerFishel,

NorthDistrictUmpireoftheYearMikeSaboandPresidentGutierrez

PicturedaboveLR:CommissionerFishel,SouthDistrictUmpireoftheYear,RickPadillaandPresidentGutierrez

PicturedaboveLR:CommissionerFishel,CentralDistrictUmpireoftheYear,MattOrlandoandPresidentGutierrez

The2013UmpireoftheYearAwardswerepresentedatthe2014ASA/USASoftballNationalUmpireSchool,heldinPeoria,AZ2123February.PresentingtheAwardswereASA/USASoftballPresident,PhilGutierrezandArizonaASACommissionerDonFishel.

FOUR UMPIRES RECOGNIZED AT NATIONAL UMPIRE SCHOOL AS AZ ASA UMPIRES OF THE YEAR Inlate2011,theArizonaASAUmpireStaffdevelopedanUmpireRecognitionProgramtorecognizeumpireswhohavedistinguishedthemselvesthroughtheironfieldperformanceatthelocallevel,duringStateChampionshipPlayandinmanycasesotherChampionshipPlayandduringNationalChampionshipPlay.Alsotakenintoconsiderationduringtheselectionprocessesaretheumpiresoverallcooperation,support,enthusiasmandloyaltytoArizonaASA.AtfirsttheprogramincludedawidevarietyofcategoriesandanoverallUmpireoftheYearCategory.In2013theprogramwasfurtherrefinedanditisenvisionedwillremainasitistodayformanyyearstocome.TheUmpireRecognitionProgramincludesaDistrictUmpireoftheYear(canbeeitherFastPitchorSlowPitch)andanoverallUmpireoftheYear(canbeeitherFastPitchorSlowPitch).TheUmpireoftheYearAwardispresentedtotheUmpiresselectedinfrontoftheirpeersattheAnnualDistrictRulesandMechanicsClinicsconductedineachDistrict.EachUmpireofYearreceivesaHomePlatePlaque,appropriatelyinscribed,withtheirname,yearandAwardTitle.

The2013UmpireoftheYearAwardWinnersare:ArizonaASAUmpireoftheYearRobbDunn(SlowPitchUmpire),PrescottValley,AZ,NorthDistrictUmpireoftheYearMikeSabo,LakeHavasuCity,AZ,SouthDistrictUmpireoftheYearRickPadilla,Tucson,AZ,CentralDistrictUmpireofth eYearMattOrlando,Chandler,AZ.

The2012UmpireoftheYearAwardWinnersincludeArizonaASAUmpireoftheYearAaronBurns(FastPitchUmpire),Chandler,AZ,NorthDistrictFastPitchUmpireoftheYearRobertE.(Bob)SmithSr.,LakeHavasuCity,AZ,SouthDistrictFastPitchUmpireoftheYearJoelB.(Joey)Alexander,Vail,AZ,SouthDistrictSlowPitchUmpireoftheYearKristenL.Willbrandt,Tucson,AZ,CentralDistrictFastitchUmpireoftheYearKevinDukes,Phoenix,AZ,CentralDistrictSlowPitchmpireoftheYearNicole(Cody)Anderegg,Mesa,AZ

PUThe2011UmpireoftheYearAwardWinnersincludeArizonaASAUmpireoftheYearTimJackson(FastPitchUmpire),Vail,AZ,NorthDistrictSlowPitchUmpireoftheYearRobbDunn,PrescottValley,AZ,NorthDistrictFastPitchUmpireoftheYearKenStoll,Prescott,AZ,NorthDistrictMostImprovedUmpireoftheYearTim

n,Eyer,Kingman,AZ,SouthDistrictSlowPitchUmpireoftheYearBobLutz,TucsoAZ,SouthDistrictFastPitchUmpireoftheYearLawrenceSanchezTucson,AZSouthDistrictMostImprovedSlowPitchUmpireoftheYearErickPerez,Tucson,AZ,SouthDistrictMostImprovedFastPitchUmpireoftheYearRickPadilla,

nix,Tucson,AZ,CentralDistrictFastPitchUmpireoftheYearJennSchroeder,PhoeAZ,CentralDistrictSlowPitchUmpireoftheYearJustinLauby,Chandler,AZCentralDistrictMostImprovedSlowPitchUmpireoftheYearCharlesDelToro;Phoenix,AZ,CentralDistrictMostImprovedFastPitchUmpireoftheYearKenFieldhouse,Mesa,AZ.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE

2013 UMPIRES OF THE YEAR

AND TO ALL PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS

Page 4

Answer to You Make the Call Iftherearelessthattwoouts,calltime,announcethattheplaywasanopitchdeadballfortherunnerleavingtoosoon.Returnallrunnerstothebasethattheypossessedatthetimeofthepitchandthebatterreturnstohitwiththecountremainingthesamepriortothelastpitch.Ifthereweretwoouts,thenitisthethirdoutoftheinningandobvioulsynorunsscore.Pleasenotethatthebatterinthenextinningfortheoffendingteamisthebatterwhowasatbatatthetimeoftheinfractionandbecauseitisanewinninghasa00ora11count. Correction from Previous Edition of Touching Bases IntheartilceMeetJoeRobinson,JoewaslistedasandEliteUmpireinthelowPitchcategory.JoeRobinsonisaFastPitchliteUmpire.

SEAndy Williams AZ ASA Deputy Umpire-in-Chief AndyWilliamsisanArizonanative,borninTucsonandgrowingupmostlyinPrescott,AZ.HeisagraduateofPrescottHighSchool,attendedYavapaiCollegeandgraduatedfromtheUniversityofPhoenixin2004withadueldegreeinBusinessManagementandEBusiness.HeiscurrentlyemployedbytheStateofArizonaSupremeCourtasaBusinessAnalystintheJuvenileJusticeServicesDivision.HehasalsoheldsimilarpositionsatAmericanExpressandBestWesternInternational.Andyisaretiredbasketballofficialandcurrentvolleyballofficialandsoftballumpire.HehasumpiredineightASANationalChampionshipTournamentsincludingtheMensMasters40andoverFastPitchandtheASA/USAGirls18GOLDChampionship.AndyhasalsoservedasanUmpireCoordinatorandAssistantUICforASANationalTournamentevents.AndycurrentlyumpiresintheArizonaCommunityCollegeAthleticConferenceandfortheArizonaInterscholasticAssociationastheHighSchoollevel.Hehasworkedplayoffandchampionshipgamesatthoselevels.AndyisamemberoftheASAMedalsprogramattheGoldLevel,andearnedhisASA/USAELITEUmpirestatusinFastPitchaswellasmembershipintheNationalIndicatorFraternityin2012.AndyhasbeenmarriedtohiswifeLorieforalmost30yearsandtheyhavethreebeautifuldaughters.AndycurrentlyresidesinGlendale,AZ.EmpasizingRulesContinuedfromPage2

Duringaliveballsituation,whenaplayerbecomesinjuredandintheumpiresjudgementrequiresimmediateattention,theumpireshallcallDEADBALL.EFFECT:Awardanybasethatwould

havebeenreached.Rule4Section10applies.

Thebattingordershallshowthenames,whichthe.

firstandlastintheorderinplayersarescheduledtobatRule7,Section2.A.applies.

National Umpire School (Continued from Page 1)

OnFridaynighttheNUSfeaturedregistrationandcheckinandameetandgreetwiththeInstructorStaff.EachstudentreceivedaSchoolBagthatcontainedtwo(2)SchoolTShirts,nametags,TheNUSDrillBook,ahandoutonBodyLanguage,aPostGameSelfEvaluationCheckList,aredpenforusewithlineupmanagement,a2014UmpiresManual,the2014UmpireExam,BatRing,andaschoolnotebookwithpen.Hospitalityfeaturedanassortmentofnonalcoholicbeverages,lightsnacksandhotwings.AllstudentsweretreatedtoacontinentalbreakfastbothSaturdayandSunday,ahotlunchthatfeaturedpulledporkandchickensandwichesandbakedbeansonSaturdayandanotherhotlunchconsistingofspaghettiwithchickenmeatsauceandgarlicbread.Saturdaymorningincludedintroductions,pledgeofallegianceandanaddressfromASAPresidentPhilGutierrezduringwhichPhilrecognizedallveteransfortheirservice.AZASACommissionerDonFisheladdressedtheStudentsandcongratulatedthematbeingapartofrecordbreakingattendance.Studentsthenreceivedexcellentclassroominstructionusingextremelyeffectivepowerpointpresentationson2014rulechanges,workingthebasesandanglesanddistances.Saturdayafternooninstructionincludedbasedrills,basedrillsandmorebasedrills.Thefieldsweremarkedtoprovidethestudentswithatrueandaccuratepictureofwheretheyneedtobefortheforceplaysat1B,fortagplaysatallbasesandhowtouseparallelmovementbetweenthebases.Thedistancefortrailingandthelocationoftheholdingzonewerealsomarkedout.ThestudentswerethentreatedtoaBBQdinnerthatfeaturedhamburgersandhotdogs.AfterdinnerallEliteUmpiresintheSchoolwererecognizedduringaceremonythatfeaturedJoeCoates,AZASAUmpirefromTucson,AZbeingpresentedhisEliteUmpirePlaqueandMaterials.JoeCoatesisthelatestofAZASAUmpireswhohasjoinedtheuniquebrotherhoodofASAEliteUmpires.ASAEliteUmpiresattheschoolwere,LVMcCree,SoCalASA,RonWagner,Wyoming,ASA,andAZASAUmpiresAaronBurns,RichEddings,GeriMagwire,DonMcCombsandAndyWilliams.TheStudentsthenformedfour(4)breakoutgroupsandtookthe2014ASANUSTestanddiscussedtherulesassociatedwiththequestions.Then,theInstructorsgavevariousmechanicssituationsandthestudentsdiscussedthemandthendrewonawhiteboardtheappropriatepositioning,movementandmechanicforthegivensituation.OnSundaymorningstudentswerebackintheclassroomforplatemechanicsandthenouttothefieldforasignalsdrill,followedbyplatemechanics.Afterthelunchbreak,studentsworkedtheplatecallingballsandstrikeswiththeaidofpitchingmachinesforthefastpitchumpiresandapitcherfromalocalslowpitchteamprovidedtheslowpitchumpirestheopportunitytocallballsandstrikesandjudgetheheightofpitchesaslegalorillegal.TheschoolconcludedwithremarksfromtheSchoolCoordinatorandthepresentationofmementoestotheNationalUmpireStaffInstructorsfollowedbythepresentationoftheSchoolCertificates,SchoolCoinandtheSchool8X10Photograph.

AccordingtoLeadInstructor,MalcolmBoylesandCoordinator,WallyLatalltheStudentEvaluationFormsindicatedthatstudentgoalsweremetandthosestudentsexpectationsoftheNUSwerefarexceeded.StudentsindicatedthattheinstructionwasoutstandingandthatthehospitablydisplayedbytheAZASAwassuperb.MalcolmBoyles,inanemailtoWallyLatall,MalcolmwasquotedassayingTheFridayturnoutwasimpressive,moreimpressivewastheparticipationofthestudents.Theumpiresestablishedtheirlevelofparticipationfortheweekend,bothphysicallyandmentallyonFridayNight.MalcolmwentontosayASATrainingisthefoundationofumpiresuccess.Wally,yousoldthatmessage,theumpiresrespondedandcametoPhoenix.OnSundayafternoonthoseumpiresleftwithnewtoolstotakehomeandshare.Thebenefitsfromlastweekendwillbefeltforyearstocome.

PleasethankeverymemberofyourStafffromourinstructionstaff.Theirknowledgeableworkwasperfect.Theyreinforcedeverythingwewereteachingandwhenweintroducedsomething

supportive.thatthestudentswerentfamiliarwith,yourstaffwasonehundredpercent

Speakingofsupport,threepeopleaddedalevelofsupportsecondtonone.ASAPresidentPhilGutierrezwasafabulousambassadorforeverythingthatmakesASAtheBest.Philsumpirebloodlineswereondisplay.DonFishelwaspresentbefore,duringandaftertheSchool,shakinghands,sellingtheprogram,beamingwithprideintheprogramthatWallyandhisoutstandingstaffhadproduced.Donsagreatsupporteroftheumpireprogramandalwayshasbeen.YouworeyourheartonyoursleeveWally.Alwayshonoringyourstaff,recognizingyourumpiresaccomplishments,praisingyourvolunteers,challengingthestudentstomakethewholeregionbetterbysharingwhattheydlearned,deflectingpersonalpraisewhilecreditingeveryoneelse.Thatswhatleadersdo!Wally,onbehalfofJoe,RichardandGene,wethankyoufortheopportunitytodowhatwelovetodoandforalltheworkyouputintomakeaverypositiveimpactontheASAUmpirePrograminRegion13. 2014 Region 13 National Umpire School in Pictures Pages 6 and 7

Page 5

2014 National Umpire School in Pictures

WelcomeStudentsAZASAStaff,JustinLaubyandGeriMagwireatStudentCheckInLeadInstructor,MalcolmBoyles,withfellowInstructorsandStudent

StudentsenjoyingtheContinentalBreakfastIntroductionsandWelcomebyNUSCoordinator,WallyLatallGuestofHonor,ASAPresidentPhilGutierrez

AZASACommissionerDonFishelAddressingStudentsStudentslistening,watchingandtakingnotesAZASADeputyUICforAdmin,DonnaShurtzservinguplunch!

Page 6

2014 National Umpire School in Pictures (Continued)

InstructorGeneHarrisonobservingStudentRichardCrockerprovidingguidancetoStudentspriortoDrillJoeRobinsonbeingassistedbyUtahStateUICRalphAndersen

StudentsinlinefortheBBQDinnerSaturdayNightJoeRobinsonwithhisgroupreviewingtheNUStestRichardCrockerexplainingthesituationtodiagramthemechanic

SowhatfootdowestartwithtothrowtheOverhandOut?SundayPlateDrillsGraduationPresentationofCertificates,CoinsandSchoolPhoto

AsincerethanksgoesouttoalltheInstructorsfromtheNationalUmpireStaff,theSchoolStaffAssistantsfromArizonaandUtahASA,butmostofallthestudentsfromthroughouttheStateofArizona.AspecialshoutoutmustgotoSouthernCaliforniaASA,NevadaASA,NewMexicoASA,UtahASAandWyomingASAfortheirStudentsupportoftheNationalUmpireSchool,hostedbyArizonaASARegion13. Page 7

W E B

SITE

LINKS

9 STAY INFORMED 9 INSURANCE INFO

9 VIEW PHOTOS AND

VIDEOS 9 LEARN ABOUT

EQUIPMENT STANDARDS

9 VIEW NON-

APPROVED BAT LISTS

9 RULE DIFFERENCES

9 RULE CLARIFICATION AND PLAYS

9 UMPIRE UNIFORM AND EQUIPMENT

www.azasa.org

www.arizonasoftballfoundation.org

www.bollingerasa.com

www.asasoftball.com/umpires

www.azblueump.com (Ump Uniforms & Equipment)

www.nfhs-softball.arbitersports.com

www.ahssug.org

www.cactusumpires.com

www.naso.org

Rocky Mountain Region 13 Other Associations

www.coloradoasa.org

www.nmasa.org

www.utahasa.com

For Wyoming ASA Contact Information use Link Below

http://www.asasoftball.com/about/getContacts.asp?associd=77.

Page 8

Thank You

To

The Vendors

And

Sponsors

And to the

Persons

Named

In helping make

The 2014 ASA/USA

Softball

National

Umpire

School

A great success!

Arizona ASA State Commissioner, Don Fishel

Tom Carle, Recreational Services, LLC

Scott Nash, HDS

John Balzic, M & J Trophies & Apparel

Joe Porter, Arizona Imprintables

Joanne Tom, Spectrum Facility Services, LLC

Elizabeth S. Drewery Latall

DeWayne Nelson & Annette Wodark NELCO Enterprise

Special Mention goes to the following named employees of the

City of Peoria Parks and Recreation Department

Marc Brust Jed Roberts

Sarah Loerzel Vergil Brown Ashley Smith Dave Stanek

Anthony DiDomizio

Another Shout Out must go to the

Comfort Suites, Peoria, AZ by Choice Hotels

Heather Kaiser, Director of Sales

and

The Tilted Kilt, Peoria, AZ & Dominos Pizza Peoria, AZ

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